Overview of Darjeeling - The Queen of the Hills
March 6, 2008
Visit the Darjeeling Photo Gallery for more photos of Darjeeling’s attractions
Darjeeling is famously known as the “Queen of the Hills” and is one of the most beautiful hill stations of India. The cool climate of Darjeeling provides a delightfully different experience from most other parts of India. At approximately 7,000 feet (2,130 meters), the town nestled in the lap of the mighty Kanchenjunga (or Khangchendzonga) mountain is a mixture of old colonial charm, famous toy train (Darjeeling Himalayan Railway), bustling marketplaces and beautiful tea gardens.
From the humble beginnings in the early 1800s, Darjeeling has transformed itself into one of India’s premier hill stations frequented by tourists across India and the world. The town has become overcrowded barely coping with the growth in population and the influx of tourists but still boasts of modern hotels, eateries, cinema halls and shopping centers. However, just a few miles from the town is where you can experience lush tea gardens, terraced farms and a slower pace of life.
From the bustling bazaars and the lush tea gardens, to the beautiful natural scenic views and a wide variety of activities from leisurely scenic walks to more grueling activities such as trekking and river rafting for the adventurous ones, Darjeeling offers something for every type of traveler.
Darjeeling Fast Facts
- Population: 109,163
- Currency: Indian Rupee or Rs
- Languages Spoken: Nepali, Hindi, Tibetan, Bengali and English
- Electrical Voltage: 230-240V 50Hz
- Time Zones: GMT/UTC +5.5
- Country Dialing Code: +91
- Area Dialing Code: 0354. This number is prefixed to the local number when calling from outside of the Darjeeling area. International calls to Darjeeling does not usually need the prefix 0. Please check with your country’s telecom company.
- Weights & Measures: Metric
Related Links
- Brief History of Darjeeling
- People and Culture of Darjeeling
- Religion and Languages of Darjeeling
- Important Contacts in Darjeeling
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i want information about tea